CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- Koch Pipeline Co. LP's Southern Operating Group in Corpus Christi has earned membership in the prestigious Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at the "star," or highest, level.

Rick Martinez and Marianne McGee from OSHA's Corpus Christi Area Office attended today's recognition ceremony, which was held at the company's facility on Interstate Highway 37.

"Koch Pipeline Southern Operating Group has demonstrated excellence in effective safety and health management," said OSHA Regional Administrator Dean W. McDaniel in Dallas. "Its management's and employees' outstanding efforts include maintaining an injury and illness rate 81 percent below the national average for the industry."

Koch Pipeline Co., an independent subsidiary of Wichita, Kan.-based Koch Industries Inc., employs 52 people in Corpus Christi who operate and maintain 1,600 miles of pipeline. The facility transports refined petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, from the Flint Hills Resources Corpus Christi Refinery to distribution terminals.

More than 1,860 worksites nationwide have earned entry into OSHA's VPP. Requirements include a high degree of management support and employee involvement; a high-quality worksite hazard analysis; prevention and control programs; and comprehensive safety and health training for all employees. Each of these elements must be effective, in place and in operation for at least one year before a company can apply to join the VPP.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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